It is 11 PM. The CAT results are out. You stare at the screen, refreshing multiple times hoping the number will change. It does not.
Whether you scored 85 percentile when you expected 95, or 92 when you needed 99 for IIM ABC, the feeling is the same. Disappointment. Confusion. And the question that will not leave your mind: What now?
Here is what nobody tells you clearly: SNAP is not just a backup anymore. For many candidates, it has become a strategic choice.
Understanding What SNAP Actually Offers
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) is the gateway to 16 Symbiosis institutes. But for most serious MBA candidates, only a few matter:
Tier 1 SNAP Colleges:
- SIBM Pune (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management)
- SCMHRD (Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development)
Tier 2 SNAP Colleges:
- SIIB Pune (International Business focus)
- SIBM Bangalore
- SIOM Nashik (Operations Management)
SIBM Pune vs Baby IIMs: What Reddit Actually Says
Here is what real candidates have said: "SIBM is a pretty great B-school. Smaller batch size, good location, even better alumni. Much better than all new IIMs."
Another explained why: "SIBM has a pretty big nexus in corporates because of its alumni and aggressive corporate engagements. No new IIM can compete with this, since it takes time to reach this stage."
The consensus is clear: for marketing and HR roles, SIBM Pune beats almost all new IIMs. For finance, the IIM tag carries more weight, but even there, SIBM's placement numbers are competitive.
The Numbers: Fees, Placements, and ROI
SIBM Pune:
- Total fees: Rs 24-25 lakhs
- Average placement: Rs 28-29 LPA
- Top recruiters: HUL, P&G, Colgate, Asian Paints, ITC
IIM Udaipur (for comparison):
- Total fees: Rs 20-21 lakhs
- Average placement: Rs 18-20 LPA
The ROI calculation: For SIBM Pune, you recover your investment in roughly 10-11 months of working.
When SNAP Makes More Sense Than Retaking CAT
Choose SNAP/SIBM if:
1. You are a marketing or HR aspirant
2. You have significant work experience
3. You value location and campus life
4. You cannot afford another year of uncertainty
Consider retaking CAT if:
1. You scored significantly below your mock performance
2. You are targeting IIM ABC specifically for investment banking or consulting
3. You are young with no work experience
The Interview Preparation Factor
SNAP interviews through the GE-PI (Group Exercise and Personal Interview) format test different things. The group exercise component is unique to Symbiosis and requires specific preparation.
The candidates who convert SIBM and SCMHRD calls have typically:
- Practiced group exercises specifically, not just GDs
- Understood Symbiosis's focus on holistic development
- Built narratives that resonate with Symbiosis's values
The Bottom Line: Is SNAP Success Possible After CAT Disappointment?
Yes. Unequivocally yes.
But it is not about "settling" for SNAP colleges. It is about understanding that:
1. SIBM Pune is genuinely excellent for marketing and HR careers.
2. The newer IIMs are not automatically better than top SNAP colleges.
3. Your career is determined by what you do at the college, not just which college you attend.
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Preparing for SNAP interviews?